Update from Johannesburg

"Coming home to a pile of clothes specially chosen by “mom” was a big treat for the children in the Oasis Family Homes. The girls modeled and walked the catwalk with all the flair and drama of a Parisian fashion show.

Two-year-old Kamogelo carefully took his new shoes and set them neatly in the cupboard to keep them clean and safe. Phalesa came to school the next day telling his teacher, “Look at the new pants my mommy bought me!"

Unfortunately, the children in our homes do not often get new clothes, especially clothes bought just for them with their tastes and personalities taken into consideration. We are so thankful for the many in-kind donations we receive of gently-used clothing, but there’s something special about something new bought just for you by someone who cares for you and loves you deeply.

Children need moms and dads who know them better than anyone else. Someone who knows their favorite color and the way they like their eggs, their favorite cartoon and whether they are a morning person or a night person, their favorite song and their dreams for the future. Every child belongs in a family who will love them more and know them better than anyone else. It’s one of the reasons we are committed to adoption as the best possible solution to South Africa’s orphan emergency - because every child deserves a family."

Not every person can an adopt an orphan, but everyone can make a difference to an orphan. I am more than halfway through my Jubilee For Joburg campaign. Help me raise $5,000 during my 50th year - my Jubilee. Your gift is tax-deductible.  The address for a US donation is

Oasis Haven US
PO Box 28362
San Diego  CA  92198 

Write Jubilee for Joburg in the memo line!! Thank you for partnering with me.  Together, we can change a life. . .

Called by name

Last Friday at a beautiful wedding, I met a wonderful family of highly creative people. I became fast friends with Laurra Fitzgerald of Coldwater Media, both of us good friends of the groom's family but we had never met before. A sweet twilight fell over our table as we became friends, two artitsts - one a writer and the other a singer/songwriter - who love God, love art, love our kids and husbands, and have a heart for the orphan. It is my pleasure to bring to you this morning this amazing music video of Laurra's song, "You're Not an Orphan."

In spite of the dire circumstances some of the most vulnerable children in the world face, including the little ones at Oasis Haven whom I love so much, none of us are truly orphans. We share a Father who loves us and calls us by name.

You have a father who loves you and holds you close to His heart. . .

I am almost halfway through my Jubilee Year and nowhere near the halfway mark in the $5,000 I want to raise this year - my fiftieth - for the children of Oasis Haven. It is true we all have a Father. But we do not all have a home and a family. Every child deserves that much. Please help me mark my Jubilee with a renewed effort to make it possible for the children of Oasis Haven to be adopted into forever families. The address at right is easy to use, it's right here in the States. And every dollar we send makes a difference.

God bless. . .

Starting the Conversation

Recently an Oasis Haven staff member sat down to tea with one of the housemothers who had just returned from her monthly weekend off. As they chatted, Mary — the housemother—shared the children’s struggle in understanding her and her husband’s need for the weekend of rest and renewal.

Frequently the children tell them “You’re our parents you can’t leave us, who will take care of us? We’re your family, you can’t take a break.” This conversation was a reminder that at the end of the day the most that Oasis Haven can do as an organization is model family. Their houseparents can’t promise the children in their care 24 hours a day and seven days a week. They can’t promise them forever.

This is part of the reason why Oasis Haven believes so strongly in adoption. Every child deserves a family, a family that can promise forever.

In an effort to support our focus on adoption they have added two new board members who are adoptive parents themselves. Dave and Debbie Keehn were the first American parents/family to legally adopt a South African child. Their son is now the youngest of three children. He is a thriving, confident, and amazing three-year-old who has transitioned exceptionally well into his new life in Orange County, CA.

If you would like to know more about adoption, or if you would like to know more about the Keehn family’s journey, please contact Debbie Keehn.

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." — Mother Teresa

At Oasis Haven, their desire for every child is to be part of a loving family forever. As they work toward that on a daily basis, they simultaneously work hard at trying to model the family to every child. This is not an easy task. Being a houseparent is an extremely demanding job, resulting in occasional turnover of staff in this role, which in return has an emotional impact on the children.

Recently it was parents' evening at the school. Lungi was so excited for her new houseparents to attend. She carefully laid all her books out on her desk in the classroom. On top of the pile was a folded letter addressed to “Mom and Dad. The note read:

Dear Mom and Dad
Thank you for coming. I hope you enjoy looking at my books.
I love you so much.
From Lungi

A simple note from a girl to her parents. The underlying message though was evident. Lungi’s houseparents have only been at Oasis Haven a few months, but she already loves them so much. Her deepest desire was evident—to be a normal girl in a family where her parents love her enough to take interest in her school work. This is something most children take for granted but for the children in Oasis Haven homes, this is something they would not have without this over-arching-commitment to family.

Won't you join me on my Jubilee For Joburg journey? In a couple days it will be Mother's Day. Perhaps in honor of your mom or the person who mothered you, you could help support Oasis Haven's goal of giving every orphaned child they meet, a forever home.

‎"The more we give of self, the richer we become in soul; the more we go beyond ourselves in love, the more we become our true selves and our spiritual beauty is more fully revealed." ~ Bishop Richard Chartres, the Royal Wedding, April 29, 2011.

People are fairly similar no matter where you go

Today I am visiting with my good friend and Oasis Haven US board member Lori Kimball, who traveled to Johannesburg last fall to visit the Oasis Haven homes. 

Lori, what prompted you to become involved with Oasis Haven?

First, I love children!  Teaching kindergarten for 20 years solidified my appreciation of little ones and the need to help protect them.  I had also partnered with a Zambian man who was helping educate and find families for orphans in his home town.  One thing lead to another in that “GOD Way” and I when I heard Beth talk about Oasis at Bible Study I was enthralled.  Later, when visiting Oasis in Joburg, the light bulb really went on, and now I’m hooked!

How did your trip to Johannesburg affect you?

The trip was surprising.  I prepared for sadness and despair, but instead found joy and hope!  True, there are an overwhelming number of orphaned children, but likewise, amazing hope for those children in places like Oasis Haven.  The kids that live in the Oasis homes are happy, fun-loving and so resilient!  We were fortunate to meet with the children’s HIV doctor, since half of the kids are HIV positive.  She explained that the AIDS epidemic is finally getting the attention and funding that it needs.  The children have excellent care and can look forward to living a long, healthy, and happy life.  Lastly, witnessing the adoption of three of the children I met in October has lead to such overwhelming joy!

Did it change you? In what kinds of ways?

Yes and no.  I’ve gained a greater appreciation for our lives here in the U.S., yet developed a love for South Africa, too.  It’s an amazing place, so indescribable, there just are no words.  I would love to go back and explore more.  I also learned that people are fairly similar no matter where you go.  We have our different customs and ways of living, but our desires are the same.

What is something about these little ones at Oasis Haven that you think would surprise most people?

Their resiliency!!  I know they have hurts….how could they not?  Yet, they appear so happy and content with their Oasis family.

What kind of difference can the average person here in the United States make in the life of an Oasis Haven child?

Any support no matter how small goes such a long way in South Africa!  The more children we can save, lovingly care for, and adopt out to “forever families” the better!  We might not save every child but we can make a huge difference for those we reach!

What will you remember most about your trip?

The faces of those beautiful kids!

Susan here: You can make a difference in the life of a child who longs for a home and a family. Join me on my Jubilee for Joburg journey! I am raising $5,000 for Oasis Haven in this, my 50th year! Make my Jubilee jubilant, would you? All the details are right here. . .

A blessed Easter to you all. . .

The latest from Oasis. . .

"A reality for all of our children is that every so often they need to make a court appearance in order for their court orders to be extended.
It is always quite a difficult time as we are not 100% sure how to fit this into their lives in a natural way. What we have found works best is to prepare them using language they can relate to so that they are not fearful before the magistrate.

Recently Khanya and Bheka needed to attend court for this reason. Before we went we spoke about how we were going to visit a lady because she wanted to see that they were healthy, happy and well-looked after.

Both Khanya and Bheka were on their best behaviour. The magistrate entered the room and immediately tried to put the children at ease. She went through all the formalities and then asked Khanya if she still wanted to live with her house mother. Khanya instantly replied, “No!” We all looked at each other and wondered at her response. The magistrate then asked her where she wanted to live.  Khanya replied, “With my new family!” Instantly we understood.

Recently she had seen two other children from her family leave to be with their adoptive families, and she was now waiting expectantly for hers. Although we try our utmost to be family to every one of our precious children we fall short simply because we are not able to offer them the permanency of adoption. Our dream for each one is that they will soon find their “new” family forever!"

Join me on my Jubilee Journey to raise $5,000 for the little ones at Oasis Haven, won't you? Let's make some dreams come true. . .Your gift is tax deductible. Address is at the right. Write JUBILEE FOR JOBURG in the memo line. God bless!